Staff Directory
Elizabeth Kicklighter
- Title:
- Head Cheer Coach/APEX Assistant
Elizabeth Kicklighter was named Georgia Southern University's Head Cheerleading Coach in April of 2026. The Georgia Southern alumna returns to Statesboro after a year as the head coach at Long Island University, where she led the Sharks' cheerleading team to a National Championship at the UCA College Nationals in the Open Spirit Program Game Day division.
Prior to her hiring at LIU, Kicklighter spent four seasons on staff at Georgia Southern, where she captained the Eagles' cheer team to a national championship at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals in 2021 in the All-Girl Intermediate discipline. In 2022, as a student assistant coach, Kicklighter helped lead her team to a second consecutive NCA national championship.
Kicklighter officially joined Georgia Southern's coaching staff in the summer of 2022 and, over the course of the last three seasons, increased her responsibilities within the program. During her tenure, Kicklighter oversaw fundraising and compliance for the program, directly oversaw the program's special appearance events, and was the coach solely responsible for various performances at volleyball and basketball games, in addition to managing other major administrative components of the program.
A competitive cheerleader of 12 years, Kicklighter was a four-time participant at the U.S. All Star Federation Cheerleading Worlds Competition (2014-2017) and a four-time participant in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Competition Cheerleading Championship (2013-2016). She graduated from Georgia Southern in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance, was a recipient of the HOPE Scholarship, and was a Dean's List honoree.
As the head cheer coach, Kicklighter directs all aspects of the Georgia Southern Cheer Program, including recruiting, coaching, practices, game-day operations, travel, scheduling, program administration, and cheer budget oversight. She develops, trains, and lead a nationally competitive NCA cheer team, including preparation for and participation in the NCA Collegiate Cheer Championships.
She also promotes academic success, leadership, sportsmanship, and compliance with NCAA, Sun Belt Conference, NCAA, and University policies and represents Georgia Southern Athletics at athletic, campus, alumni, and community events.
Working with APEX, she oversees community engagement projects and the department liaison for SAAC initiatives and manages student-athlete development portfolios and skill development progressions. She also supports the planning and implementation of career, leadership, and professional development programming for Georgia Southern student-athletes. Kicklighter assists in the coordination of APEX workshops, networking opportunities, employer and alumni engagement, and career exploration initiatives that prepare student-athletes for success beyond graduation.
Prior to her hiring at LIU, Kicklighter spent four seasons on staff at Georgia Southern, where she captained the Eagles' cheer team to a national championship at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals in 2021 in the All-Girl Intermediate discipline. In 2022, as a student assistant coach, Kicklighter helped lead her team to a second consecutive NCA national championship.
Kicklighter officially joined Georgia Southern's coaching staff in the summer of 2022 and, over the course of the last three seasons, increased her responsibilities within the program. During her tenure, Kicklighter oversaw fundraising and compliance for the program, directly oversaw the program's special appearance events, and was the coach solely responsible for various performances at volleyball and basketball games, in addition to managing other major administrative components of the program.
A competitive cheerleader of 12 years, Kicklighter was a four-time participant at the U.S. All Star Federation Cheerleading Worlds Competition (2014-2017) and a four-time participant in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Competition Cheerleading Championship (2013-2016). She graduated from Georgia Southern in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance, was a recipient of the HOPE Scholarship, and was a Dean's List honoree.
As the head cheer coach, Kicklighter directs all aspects of the Georgia Southern Cheer Program, including recruiting, coaching, practices, game-day operations, travel, scheduling, program administration, and cheer budget oversight. She develops, trains, and lead a nationally competitive NCA cheer team, including preparation for and participation in the NCA Collegiate Cheer Championships.
She also promotes academic success, leadership, sportsmanship, and compliance with NCAA, Sun Belt Conference, NCAA, and University policies and represents Georgia Southern Athletics at athletic, campus, alumni, and community events.
Working with APEX, she oversees community engagement projects and the department liaison for SAAC initiatives and manages student-athlete development portfolios and skill development progressions. She also supports the planning and implementation of career, leadership, and professional development programming for Georgia Southern student-athletes. Kicklighter assists in the coordination of APEX workshops, networking opportunities, employer and alumni engagement, and career exploration initiatives that prepare student-athletes for success beyond graduation.
Friday, July 17
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